Short Summary

The latest jet fighter built for the United States Navy, the twin-jet F-14 Tomcat, flew successfully from the deck of an aircraft carrier for the first time earlier this month.

Description

The latest jet fighter built for the United States Navy, the twin-jet F-14 Tomcat, flew successfully from the deck of an aircraft carrier for the first time earlier this month. The lightweight, swing-wing jet was patapaulted from the deck of the carrier USS Forestal off the coast of North Carolina.

Official film from the Department of Defence covers the single launch from several different angles. the Tomcat made its first land-based flight 18 months ago. It is scheduled to come into operation next year. Primary role of the new fighter will be to defend naval task forces, though it is also capable of flying strikes against land targets.